Not on the Menu

by Eddy Twice, Maeve Brady (Narrator), Ed Fairbanks (Narrator)

Romance with Zik was not on the menu.

On the menu were carefully plated dishes.

Not butterflies.

Not longing gazes.

Not replaying moments like a carousel.

And definitely not romance with my friend’s brother.

Or a younger guy.

So why did my stomach feel weird?

It had to be a stomach bug… right?

Genres: Audiobook

Audible Audio

Published January 23, 2026

Reviews

[Britney Ireland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to #NetGalley for providing me with the Advanced Listening Copy (ALC) of this book. I was intentionally branching out into new genres, and this novel offered something different from my usual reading choices.

I am assigning this a 3-star rating, which is primarily based on two factors: the narration and the storyline connection.

The dual-perspective narration structure, which alternates between the female and male leads, was a strength, and I greatly enjoyed the back-and-forth dynamic it created. Specifically, the female narrator was excellent and captivating. However, I unfortunately found the male narration to be a significant drawback, which ultimately detracted from the overall listening experience.

Regarding the storyline, I struggled to connect with the characters on a deeper emotional level. Despite this, the central theme was handled well: the idea of falling in love when it was "not on the menu" for either protagonist was a touching exploration of finding romance and hope after both characters had suffered a significant loss.

If you are a devoted reader of this particular genre, I believe you will find much to appreciate in this novel. I remain encouraged and plan to continue exploring more titles within this space.

[Mamawattto4 Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Victory editing for the audio ARC

🎧 AUDIO BOOK REVIEW

I gave Not on the Menu by Eddy Twice 3 stars. As an audiobook, it definitely had one of my favorite elements — dual narration. I always love getting both perspectives, and the narrators really helped bring the characters and their personalities to life.

The story itself was cute and easy to listen to, with some sweet and fun moments that kept it enjoyable. That said, it didn’t really stand out in a big way for me. It was a nice, light listen, but not one that will stick with me long-term. Still, if you’re in the mood for something low-stress with solid narration, it’s a pleasant pick.

[Liz | lizzuplans · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is not for me. I did not connect with the story nor the characters.
The writing felt clunky and the pacing was off (drawn out scenes without anything happening and then speeding up again when during important moments).

On top of that, the audio production sounded metallic and I did not like the male narrator’s voice (both in sound and in flatness).

As a different reviewer pointed out, the sparkle in the bottom right corner of the cover seemingly points to AI, especially in combination with an apparently very vague answer from the author.
Not a great look.

DNF @ 18%.

1.5 stars rounded down.

Read as an audiobook.

I received an ARC of this book (thanks!) and these are my own opinions.

[Lecia Kade · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐1.5

The was a big problem with pacing and repetition.
Things that didn't warrant in depth description got it and then things that could have used a tad more were breezed past.
I felt no real chemistry between the characters throughout.
If I heard about how he felt safe and like home one more time I was gonna lose it.

I can't say more about this story because a lot of it was affected by listening to the audiobook.

Listening to this as an audiobook was a big mistake, I think somethings that I would have let the story itself get away with was ruined by the audio book.
There was a pretty big problem cut in pacing narration wise, not all on the narrators, production likely played a part in this too.
With the narrator for Megan I could hear mouth sounds which really felt .. gahh, ya know? Also, the way it was read felt like she was making fun of the characters at all times, and it all felt very one note.

Thank you to Netgalley and Victory Editing for giving me a Free Listen copy of the audiobook.

[❀ Sarah-Jane ❀ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was, erm, not for me I don't think. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions are my own and bare no reflection on how others may feel about this book.

It was a cute, short read in many respects. I liked the fact that it was friends to lovers, he's a chef, and she's a photographer and after loosing his sister (her best friend) she's come to help him take pictures of his food for his up coming cook book.

But my goodness they went from... okay we're dating... to 'Babe' alot... to 'I love you' and my brain struggled a little to understand how we got there so fast. I know it was sort of like 'love was here all along' but it did seem like they were all of a sudden really open with each other.

There were some problems with the recording of the narration where it skipped in places, and repeated words in others. And I think I've heard so many great narrators now that the male narrator was giving me nothing - when describing the sexy scenes it's like he was just logging in for a day at the office! Very little emotion in his voice... when he said 'I groaned'... I wanna hear that groan!

The third act break-up was odd. She didn't want to be with him anymore because he was trying to pay her investment back to her? Like, why not just talk it out rather than walking away and being apart from each other for a month?

And dying her hair red after it all, classic post break-up move!

I'm glad that her Mam and Dad got back together, even though there was absolutely no back story to how and why they managed to sort things out - and to be honest her Mam seemed like a bit of a nightmare! And I'm really glad that her Dad got better.

But I think, for me, there was a lack of chemistry between the main characters, the story moved along very quickly without any sort of tension or yearning from either of the main characters. A quick and easy listen to keep your reading list moving for sure.

[Wildrose Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Not on the Menu” by Eddy Twice 🎧📘
🎧 Format: Audiobook
📚 Pub Date: 01.23.26
⭐️ Rating: ⭐️⭐️ Stars

“Not on the Menu” by Eddy Twice is a story about Megan, a young woman who is navigating life following the death of her best friend, Ada. Together they had created a “bucket list” that Megan set out to accomplish after Ada’s death. After she returns home, Megan reconnects with Ada’s younger brother, Zik. They are both bereft as they are each coming to terms with the recent loss of Ada.

I had trouble connecting with this story, and I’m not sure if it was because I listened to the audiobook version, or because I’m not much of a foodie and much of the book revolves around Zik’s restaurant business and his cooking.

I can’t quite put my finger on why this book didn’t appeal to me, but I do know that I struggled to feel the romance.

At one point in the book there was a big obstacle to them being together presented and it just felt so forced and illogical to me.

This book may resonate more with people who are “foodies” and can enjoy that aspect of the storyline better.

Additionally, for those who are interested, there were recipes at the end of the book that may appeal to those who want to try some of the Nigerian recipes that are mentioned frequently in the book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Eddy Twice & Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for access to this Listener Review Copy. All opinions are my own.


#NotOnTheMenu
#EddyTwice
#NetGalley
#VictoryEditingNetGalleyCoOp

[Kathleen Alexandria · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay read with a strong premise, 2.5 ⭐️

Not on the Menu had a really promising setup and I’m always down for a best friend’s brother / friends-to-lovers dynamic - and the added layer of grief and healing gave it the potential to feel quite emotional and meaningful. The food elements and restaurant setting were also a lovely touch and added a cosy atmosphere to the story.

However, while there were moments I enjoyed, the overall execution didn’t fully land for me. The pacing felt uneven, with some parts dragging and others moving too quickly, especially when it came to key emotional developments. This made it harder to feel fully invested in the relationship.

I also found the characters a bit difficult to connect with at times. Their actions and emotional responses didn’t always feel fully explored, which left certain moments lacking the depth I was hoping for. The story touches on heavier themes like grief, but I wanted a bit more nuance and consistency in how these were handled.

That said, it’s not without its charm. There’s a sweet, comforting quality to the romance, and readers who enjoy a softer, slower-paced story may get more out of it than I did.

Overall, this was an okay read with a strong premise, but it didn’t quite deliver the emotional impact or cohesion I was looking for.

Thank you to Eddy Twice, the publisher, and NetGallery for the ARL, it is much appreciated!

[Kristina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not on the Menu by Eddy Twice

The purple cover art is AI generated.

Megan is Zik’s older sister’s best friend. Zik’s sister has recently passed. Megan has been ticking off a bucket list they made – with find love being the last item on her list. Zik is a chef – so lots of food talk in the story – has always had a crush on Megan.

I think the narrators are the reason I was not invested in this story. The narrators side characters are especially distracting. Some issues with the audio quality especially noticeable with the switch between narrators.

The worst things about Megan’s date with Liam was having to listen to the narrator’s interpretation of his voice.

Both the MCs let out breaths they didn’t know they were holding.

Best Friends Younger Brother, Friends to lovers, Grief, Chef, Complicated families.

Thanks to NetGalley and Eddy Twice for the ARC, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Elise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not On The Menu is a fun romance that follows Megan, an aspiring photographer buried under the weight of expectations from her high-achieving family and the grief of losing her best friend Ava, and Zik a successful chef and Ava's little brother, who has been in love with Megan for as long as he can remember. A chef MMC is a chef is almost ALWAYS a win for me, and Zik did not disappoint!! The plot handled difficult themes well, and the pacing made it easy to get lost in the story. I love listening to Megan and Zik support eachother in their careers and with their grief, and to watch the relationship blossom authentically and (mostly) without drama... Both narrators have lively engaging voices, and capture the playfulness of Zik and Megan's relationship. The little recipe section at the end was a great touch, and I'm tempted to get a physical copy just so I can follow along with some of the delicious-sounding recipes from the book! Thank you to Victory Editing and Netgalley for this Advanced Listener Copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Rachel Brackett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very simple and sweet. It’s perfect for what I needed. Narrators were good. I received an arc from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[🌙henny✨ · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at around 10%, the story just wasn’t gripping me and I didn’t really like the male narrator

[lo :) · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ || I enjoyed listening to this and the topics it concluded. The main points were literally two people realizing they’ve slowly fell in love with each other over the years, while both overcoming grief. I recommend it if that’s something you’re interested in!

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an Advanced Listener Copy from NetGalley, and this review is voluntary.

This story had all the right ingredients, but for me, the final dish didn’t fully come together. I loved the setup — grief, growth, and a best friend’s brother who’s been quietly in love with you for years? That’s a recipe I will always taste‑test. But somewhere between the emotional beats and the kitchen scenes, I found myself wanting more clarity and more connective tissue.

The Nigerian fusion element was charming, but I didn’t always understand how it fit into the characters’ journeys. It felt like a cute garnish rather than a fully developed flavor. And the pacing? Let’s just say some moments simmered beautifully, while others jumped from “we’re sautéing onions” to “the whole pot is boiling over” with no warning. In audio, those jumps were even harder to follow, and I caught myself rewinding trying to figure out how we got from point A to point… Zik.

Megan’s emotional evasiveness also tested my patience. I get being guarded — I am guarded — but sis was dodging feelings like she was training for the emotional Olympics. I needed a little more depth, a little more confrontation, a little more “let’s actually talk about this.”

Overall, it’s a heartfelt story with a meaningful premise, but I needed more detail and smoother transitions to stay fully immersed. Still, if you enjoy quiet, emotional slow‑burns with a dash of spice and a side of culinary charm, this might hit the spot for you.

[Dana M · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was the title that grabbed me on this one; I was expecting something different. More banter, more back and forth, but it was a childhood friendship that turned romantic, a third-act breakup to fall back together. It was sweet and had some really cute moments, but there was nothing that was drawing me back to the story. I wanted yearning, playful banter, and desire, and I didn't get any of it.

I did this as an immersive read, both the audio and the ebook at the same time. The audio book was really well done, with the dual narrators and good pacing, but I still found I was lacking connection with the characters. At times I felt like we were repeating scenes to be able to get both points of view, and it made the story feel a little awkward. The break up was pointless and could have been a conversation, it really felt like the author just needed to include it for the trope. The story moved fast, from suddenly dating to quickly in love. And the spice scenes... written by a man for sure. They lacked all the luster that I have come to appreciate from female author.

I did appreciate the Nigerian fusion and felt it could have been integrated into the story a lot better and been something more meaningful for both the characters and the story.

Overall, this is a quick and easy read or listen for anyone that wants something low stakes and enjoyable, but it isn't something I found memorable.

Thank you to NetGalley for the copy of the audiobook and eBook.

[Marylovesreading · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of *Not On the Menu*
by Eddy Twice
Narrated by Maeve Brady, Ed Fairbanks, Millie Hearts
2.5⭐️ (rounded up)

Unfortunately, this one didn’t work for me. Ed Fairbanks was not a great fit for the male lead—his narration style missed the mark and was noticeably overshadowed by the female performances.

The story itself was difficult to follow and lacked cohesion. Several elements felt underdeveloped, as if there was a checklist of tropes to include rather than a fully formed storyline to allow everything to flow naturally. The romance, in particular, was hard to invest in because too many pieces were missing.

There’s an age gap between the leads, but it’s never clearly defined. It’s also a best friend’s brother romance, though the friend has passed away. We’re told there’s a long shared history, yet there’s very little backstory to build the emotional layers needed to understand his love for her—or her investment in him. There’s even mention of her helping fund his restaurant, but when she discovers he knew it was her, she suddenly ghosts him, which felt confusing and hard to relate to.

Overall, the lack of emotional depth made it difficult for me to connect with the characters or the romance. This may work better for readers who prefer lighter stories without a strong focus on character development.

Thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the ALC.

[Melis Spears · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC of Not on the Menu. I always appreciate the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

Unfortunately, this one just didn’t quite work for me. I found myself confused by several parts of the story and felt like there were too many plot holes that were never fully addressed. One of the biggest things that stood out was the lack of discussion about his sister—who is also Meghan’s best friend. Given how central that relationship should be to the situation between them, it felt strange that it was barely explored.

I was also left wondering about several details that never seemed to be clarified. What exactly was the age gap between them? What was Meghan doing before she suddenly decided to become a part-time photographer? And if she was clearly curious about his past relationships, why didn’t she ever actually ask him about them? Moments like these made the story feel incomplete.

The highlight of the audiobook for me was the dual narration, which is something I usually love in a romance. However, even the narration felt a bit inconsistent at times, which unfortunately made it harder to stay immersed in the story.

I appreciate the opportunity to listen to the ARC, but this book ultimately didn’t make much sense to me and left me with more questions than answers.

[Ashton Cheshire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC audiobook


I want to start off by saying some things I really enjoyed about this book

I really enjoyed both the main characters, sometimes when it comes to contemporary romance the main characters can be lacking or somewhat annoying but I didn’t feel that with this book.
I enjoyed the plot of the book and the overall connection with the characters.
I also really enjoyed that the author included recipes for the food featured in the book at the end.
I also loved both the narrators they both did such an amazing job with their characters.

Now there’s some things in this book that I want to point out that may deter some people from

There is a third act breakup and in my opinion I didn’t really like the reason for the breakup I thought it was a bit silly
The characters do I feel need to work on their communication as well, it wasn’t as major as some books but definitely noticeable.

Overall I want to say I did love this book it was a nice short read to help keep me from falling into a reading slump and I appreciated it. The author writes extremely well and discusses matters such as death and grief with grace. This book discusses serious issues even with relationships and for that I appreciate it.

[Lauren Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

🌶️🌶️.5
⭐️⭐️.5 - disjointed, confusing, yet predictable and cringy. Pacing was off and story was all over the place. Scenes repeated and the third-act breakup was the most pitiful excuse for a breakup. It was just flat and beyond boring for me.
- They texted “I love you” 2 days into dating for crying out loud.
- Mom is cold, but has a change of heart. Why? No one really knows.
- They brush hands and FMC’s all like “am I in love?”
- FMC “how dare you care about me enough to set aside money for me! I can’t trust you anymore since you didn’t tell me now that we’ve been together for a whole 48 hours! So I’m going to cold shoulder you for a month and dye my hair even though I realize after only a week that I’m the problem.”

Recording icks for the audiobook were a huge turn off for me as well. Mouth/background noises from the female narrator and I just didn’t vibe with the male narrator for this lead. His voice did nothing for my ovaries.

Tropes/TW:
Privileged photographer FMC x ex military chef MMC
BFF’s younger brother
Reverse age gap
He fell first
Childhood friends to lovers
Death/grief/illness

Thank you Eddy Twice and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this ARC copy.

*I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*

[Lana Allan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was so kindly sent the ALC for this from NetGalley however it just didn’t get me the way I wanted it to. I really wanted to love this story and I maybe would have if I had physically read it however the narration was off for me and at times was really distracting from the story. The story itself was nice and had a few parts I enjoyed however those were the points I wanted more detail and depth than was provided and at other points it fell a bit flat. I’m a big audiobook girlie but I just didn’t feel like for me personally, the voices matched the characters (mainly Zik) and some of the voices/accents at bits were really odd and distracting. I think if this isn’t something that bothers you then you’d definitely enjoy the story more than I did, I just couldn’t see past it unfortunately! The chapter breaks at times also felt like they were in the middle of a story so felt a bit disjointed when the story broke then restarted again right away, I feel the chapters could have been longer/merged to avoid this.

As a story it has real potential but for me the narration was just too distracting unfortunately.

[Kailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

🎧 Audio book review

Thank you to @victoryediting and @netgally for this ALC in exchange for a honest review!

Not on the menu by Eddy Twice
Narrated by Maeve Brady, Ed. Fairbanks, and Millie Hearts
Pub date- Out Now!!
3.5 ⭐️

This was a quick, fun read that I really enjoyed for what it was. The characters were engaging, and I especially loved that the MMC was a chef, it added such a unique and entertaining element to the story. One of my favorite touches was that the audiobook included recipes inspired by the book at the end, which I thought was really cool. I enjoyed the female narrators a lot, though the male narrator wasn’t my personal favorite. Overall, if you’re looking for something light, easy, and enjoyable, this is definitely worth picking up

📸 Friends to lovers
🧑‍🍳 Best friends brother
📸 Journey of loss
🧑‍🍳Layers of healing
📸Photographer FMC
🧑‍🍳 Chef MMC

Romance with Zik was definitely not on the menu. Perfectly plated dishes? Yes. Butterflies, lingering looks, and replaying moments on a loop? Absolutely not. And especially not romance with my friend’s brother, or a younger guy. So why did my stomach suddenly feel off? It had to be a stomach bug… right?

[Mood Reader Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story 2.5/5
Spice 2.5/5
Audiobook Narration 2.5/5

Tropes: Best Friend's Brother, Childhood Friends to Lovers, Greif, Chef x Photographer, Its Always Been You

I received an ALC of the audiobook through NetGalley, I found the description intriguing and I really wanted to like it. Unfortunately, this book just didn't hit the way I wanted it to. I didn't find myself emotionally invested with either of the main characters. I considered DNFing this multiple times, but I powered through because it was an ALC.
There were a few moments that piqued my interest, and then lost it. What it really came down to for me is that the story was not ready to be published. There were craft issues in this book that I teach my middle school students to avoid. I think if this book had gone through more beta reading and story editing it could have been good - the premise was there!
The quality of the audiobook was also disappointing, the recording quality was inconsistent throughout the book. I think that editing was also rushed as there were multiple instances of lines being repeated. Personally, I was not a fan of the male narrator's voice either.

[Carmen M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a cute, easy listen. It’s a friend’s brother and reverse age gap romance, which is one of my favorite tropes when it’s well done. The pacing felt a little quick in spots, and I wanted a bit more of that slow burn tension before they finally gave in, but the chemistry was definitely there. The whole is it love or a stomach bug internal monologue was relatable and actually made me laugh out loud a few times.
What I truly enjoyed was the narration. The narrators Maeve Brady, Ed Fairbanks, and Millie Hearts were fantastic. They did a great job making the characters feel relatable and grounded. Maeve captured that I’m trying so hard to be professional and failing energy perfectly, and Ed/Millie really brought the rest of the cast to life. It’s one of those audiobooks where you can tell the narrators actually get the tone of the story.

If you’re looking for a easy listen, sweet romance this is the audiobook for you. I’m right between a 3 and a 4 on this one, so let’s call it a 3.75 stars.

#NotOntheMenu, #EddyTwice, #RomanceAudiobooks, #NetGalley

[Madeleine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for this ALC!

This was a sweet story overall - the narration was not the best for me personally; I found the pacing of it to be a bit disjointed at times with how fast/slow the narrators would speak and sometimes there would be too long a pause between that I would question if I'd accidentally turned the audio off somehow.

Aside from that, I do think this was a good story - it felt quite average to me, in the sense that nothing about the storyline really stood out or gripped me. The third act conflict/breakup felt a bit unnecessary to me, and I would've liked to see a bit more discussion and resolution with Megan and her parents - it felt like that all got sorted out very easily but also like we didn't see any of it happen.

Megan and Zik had good chemistry and I was surprised by the fact that Zik's sister and Megan's best friend had passed away - it brought a bit more of an interesting element to the traditional 'best friends brother' trope.

[Destiny Szafarski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Net Galley and Victory editing for an audio ARC of this title!

This was a quick and easy listen, and makes a nice palate cleanser if you feel like you’ve been reading books that are heavy, dark, or intense. The story features a FMC who returns home after the death of her best friend, in order to help said friend’s brother with photography for his up and coming restaurant. She realizes that while love with her best friend’s little brother was “not on the menu”, she’s loved Zeke for longer than she has realized.

This book had a great base of ideas: finding love with someone who has felt off limits because of other relationships, realizing that person has always felt like home, a complicated parent dynamic adding external pressure to that relationship…lots to work with! For me, this book failed to get the 5th star because all of these ideas needed to be teased out just a little more in order to stick with me and leave a lasting impression. Overall I enjoyed this book, but if you ask me a month from now I likely will not remember the plot.

[Kassandra Starr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an audio ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I love dual narration books. However, I’m not a fan of these narrators. The male narrator had a very one tone feel. The female narrator was better but sounded younger than what I thought the character should sound.

I love the best friend’s brother trope of the story, but it just felt a bit off for me. I’m not sure if it’s the ages of the characters or maybe just their personalities. We have a younger man that owns a restaurant, but has no experience in love. An older (by a few years?) woman with snobby parents. How did she even become friends with the sister with parents like that? I think I need more backstory for the details to connect.

I appreciate the recipes at the end of the book, but I don’t feel like the dishes were mentioned enough to really warrant the recipes.

Overall, the story was fine, but forgettable. I don’t think that I’ll be recommending this one to friends, but I’m sure someone will love it.

[Jen Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is definitely a fast paced cute read! I did wish the storyline flowed better and it was clearer when we were in present vs past tense, but the dual POV was nice.

Zik has been in love with his sister's best friend for years. However, both him and Megan are grieving Zik's sister's death. They have been in each other's lives since childhood, and supported each other but their bond has never crossed that line. I appreciate how open Zik was to Megan about his feelings, but in a blink they were saying I Love You and the very next chapter is the third act break up.

I do appreciate the growth Megan had, but poor Zik was so supportive of her and her family the entire time.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publishers for this audio review. I am an avid audiobook listener, and this is one occasion where I feel the narration took away from the book.

Overall, this was an enjoyable quick read.

[Kori Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ — Loved the Story, Not So Much the Audio
Not on the Menu by Eddy Twice was such a fun ride. The characters are charming, the banter is great, and the whole vibe just pulls you in. It’s one of those stories where you keep thinking “okay, one more chapter” and suddenly it’s 2 a.m. Eddy Twice really knows how to mix heart, humor, and heat in a way that feels effortless.

The only downside for me was the audio. The narration wasn’t terrible, but it didn’t quite match the energy of the book. Some parts felt a bit uneven, and a few character voices didn’t land the way the scenes seemed to call for. The production quality also had a couple of distracting moments that pulled me out of the story.

The book itself? Fantastic. Totally worth reading. But if you’re picky about audio quality, you might enjoy this one more in ebook or print. With a stronger narration, this would’ve easily been a five‑star listen.

[Emily Blackburn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 ⭐️ ARC Audiobook Review – Not on the Menu

This was a solid story centered around found family, grief, and love. The emotional core really comes through, especially as the characters navigate loss and learn how to support each other. There’s meaningful character growth throughout, but I particularly appreciated the development of her parents—their arc felt genuine and added depth to the story.

That said, I do want to include a trigger warning for the death of a friend, which plays a significant role in the narrative.

I’ll be honest—the audiobook format impacted my overall rating. I usually enjoy dual narration, but in this case, it didn’t quite work for me. The male narrator’s voice was difficult to connect with and pulled me out of the story at times. I think I would have rated this higher if it had been a single narration.

Overall, a heartfelt and worthwhile read with strong themes, but the narration style just didn’t fully land for me.

[Ravendarcluv · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Victoria Editing for providing me with an advanced listener copy of this book.
Unfortunately, this one didn’t fully land for me. The pacing felt uneven throughout—some sections dragged while others rushed, especially during key emotional moments that needed more development. Because of this, I struggled to connect with the characters, and their relationship lacked the chemistry needed to keep me invested.
The audiobook experience also had its challenges. There were noticeable recording issues, including moments where words were skipped or repeated, which pulled me out of the story. Additionally, the writing style didn’t seem to translate well to audio. At times, it felt overly literal, as if the narrators were reading actions that might have worked better if performed more naturally.
Overall, this is one that didn’t quite work for me, particularly in audiobook format.

[TinaMarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Finished: 02/13
⸻
Meg & Zik = swoon worthy. Connected through Ada — Zik’s sister and Megan’s best friend — these two have always found a quiet sense of comfort in each other, and that foundation made their romance feel natural and tender.

⸻
There’s definitely an emotional punch here as they navigate grief, illness, complicated family dynamics, and all the messy realities that come with growing up and moving forward. It added depth to what could have been just a sweet romance.

⸻
I experienced this one through audio, and while it was decent, I don’t think it fully captured the heart of the story for me. I have a feeling this might shine even brighter in physical format, where the emotional beats could land a little more intimately.

Thank you #NetGalley for the advanced audio copy in exchange for an honest review.
#readingChallenge #readmorebooks #romance #reading2026